In the wake of increasing emergency calls, South Whidbey Fire/EMS has welcomed 15 new volunteer firefighters to its team.

The new additions were announced at the Thursday Nov. 10 monthly district meeting.

The fresh blood comes as there have been a few personnel shifts within the department. Former Deputy Chief Jason Laughren left the district last month and the ex-EMS Division Chief Wendy Moffat was promoted to the Deputy Chief position.

Firefighter Bill Piepenbrink was promoted to lieutenant at the meeting, and the district bid farewell to maintenance employee Erick Westphal with a formal recognition at the meeting.